Tánaiste Presents Belgard Motors, Mazda, Echo Sports Star Awards Templeogue Athlete, Ciara Sheehy, Receives Sports Star of the Year Award

Tánaiste Mary Harney this evening (Monday 13th December, 1999) presented the Belgard Motors, Mazda, Echo Sports Star Awards and Sports Star of the Year Award at a ceremony in Belgard Motors, Tallaght, Dublin.

Speaking at the awards ceremony the Tánaiste said "I am delighted to be involved in this awards ceremony for the second year running. There have been many great successes in Irish sport over the years and I am glad to say that this year has been no exception. The adjudication panel has had a difficult task in choosing one overall winner of the Annual Sports Award. I think you will agree with me that any one of these individuals would be richly deserving of the award and have set a high standard for fellow award winners in the future. I congratulate all the sportspersons here this evening and regardless whoever wins the overall award, I can confidently say that you are all winners."

The awards, which have been running since November 1997, are sponsored by Belgard Motors, Mazda and The Echo. Each week a sports personality is nominated and an overall monthly winner is selected. Nominations for the awards are made through The Echo from both readers and sports correspondents. The overall winner receives a trophy but is also asked to nominate a charity of his/her choice to which Belgard Motors, Mazda and The Echo will donate £1000.

The Tánaiste said "The Government has brought a new drive and momentum to the development of sport and has signalled its commitment by increasing capital funding available by over 350% from £8.5m in 1997 to £39.4m in the Estimates for the year 2000."

Presenting the awards the Tánaiste said "In winning these awards you are following in the footsteps of many distinguished persons who have won similar awards in the past. It is an honour to be selected as a winner and is compensation and recognition for the many hours of hard training which you have put in. I wish you all continued success with your sporting careers. I would also like to pay tribute to the organisers and sponsors of these awards. I know that this event brings great pleasure and enjoyment no only to the people who have sent in nominations, but to all who participate and I compliment you on this exciting initiative."